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Overview

For information regarding Early Access to kindergarten for the 2019-20 school year click here. The Early Access application window for the 2018-19 school year is NOW CLOSED.

Advanced Academic & Gifted Services (AAGS)

Welcome to the Advanced Academic & Gifted Services home page.

Lynn Saltzgaver, AAGS Director

Kelly Teran, Gifted Specialist/K-12 GT Coordinator

Melanie Dills, Administrative Assistant

In Adams 12 Five Star Schools, “Gifted & Talented" means those persons between the ages of four and twenty-one whose abilities, talents, and potential for accomplishment are so exceptional or developmentally advanced that they require special provisions to meet their educational programming needs. Children under five who are gifted may also be provided with early childhood special educational services. Gifted students include gifted students with disabilities (i.e. twice-exceptional "2e") and students with exceptional abilities or potential from all socio-economic, ethnic, and cultural populations. Gifted students are capable of high performance, exceptional production, or exceptional learning behavior by virtue of any or a combination of these areas of giftedness:

General or Specific Intellectual Ability

Specific Academic Aptitude

Creative or Productive Thinking

Leadership Abilities

Specific Talent Aptitude

The Adams 12 vision coincides with that of the Colorado Association of Gifted and Talented (CAGT) and the Colorado Department of Education (CDE).

To assure that gifted children grow socially, emotionally, and academically to become well-adjusted contributing members of society. --CAGT

All Gifted students will accomplish challenging post-secondary work/force goals and become productive, creative citizens capable of succeeding in their area of strength. --CDE

Our mission is to serve the academic needs of gifted and advanced learners, while supporting their unique social-emotional needs in a nurturing environment. We are dedicated to providing instruction that challenges and motivates gifted and talented (GT) learners to achieve at an optimal level. Programming is based on gifted best practices and is designed to help students navigate their growth and develop their full potential. Schools may implement programming options differently to meet the needs of their students.

Core Beliefs About GT

Giftedness is a shared responsibility

Giftedness presents in a variety of domains

Giftedness is present in all populations

Giftedness is evident in multiple ways

Giftedness presents a need for qualitatively different programming

In order to provide the best possible educational opportunities to gifted children, our district advocates for a variety of gifted best practices. Every school in the Five Star District offers gifted programming services. Hulstrom K-8, our district magnet school for Advanced Academics and Gifted Education, specializes in advanced learning, gifted best practices, and 21st century skills. For further information, please visit our Programming page and for specifics about the GT programming offered at your child's school, contact your school's GT Coordinator.

Please explore the pages listed in the sidebar for district information on GT Identification and Assessment, Programming, and Resources.